Publications & Scholarly Works
Medical and Laboratory Examinations for Neuropsychologists: A Clinical Guide
Edited By Thomas J. Farrer, R Brock Frost
Published:16 April 2026 Available in print: 3 June 2026
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Abstract
Medical and Laboratory Examinations for Neuropsychologists: A Clinical Guide bridges a critical gap in neuropsychological training and clinical practice. While clinical neuropsychologists are well versed in the cognitive and behavioral assessment of brain functioning, they are increasingly expected to integrate findings from laboratory and medical diagnostics into their evaluations and case conceptualizations. Yet, few receive formal training in interpreting such data, despite the ubiquitous nature of such examinations in clinical practice. This volume equips neuropsychologists with the foundational knowledge necessary to understand and apply neurodiagnostic information in clinical contexts. Chapters cover a range of essential topics, including the interpretation of laboratory values related to thyroid function, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, infectious diseases, hormonal abnormalities, and metabolic disturbances. These measures—routinely recommended by the American Academy of Neurology as part of the standard medical workup for cognitive impairment—are often underutilized or misinterpreted in neuropsychological evaluations. Beyond lab testing, the book provides an in-depth look at key neurodiagnostic procedures such as EEG, MRI, CT, PET, lumbar puncture, genetic testing, sleep studies, and comprehensive neurological examinations. Each chapter offers concise, clinically relevant guidance to help neuropsychologists better understand how abnormal findings relate to brain health, support differential diagnosis, and inform treatment planning. Designed to enhance diagnostic accuracy and interdisciplinary communication, this resource equips practitioners with the knowledge needed to integrate neurodiagnostic data into evidence-based neuropsychological practice and to enhance their diagnostic accuracy and interdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating neurodiagnostic data with cognitive assessment, neuropsychologists can play a more informed and impactful role in patient care.
Reversible Causes of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Edited By Thomas J. Farrer, Lynn A. Schaefer
© 2026
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From Neuroscience to Clinical Practice
This pioneering book covers a broad range of reversible causes of cognitive decline and dementia, ranging from the basic neuroscience of the condition to clinical manifestations and practice treatment implications.
It offers something new to the field of dementia assessment and treatment by shining a light on the multiple comorbidities that compound the patient’s clinical presentation and exacerbate cognitive decline and by presenting differential diagnoses and the imperative to rule out reversible causes of cognitive impairment/dementia in one key text. Taking a global approach, chapters include mild cognitive impairment and the impact of drugs and substance abuse and other medication effects. The book goes on to look at depression and other psychiatric presentations, chronic pain, metabolic conditions, and tumors and other space-occupying lesions. Infectious diseases and other medical illnesses that affect cognition are explored, along with the impact of sleep disorders and delirium. The book concludes with a focus on applications and treatment when maximizing an older person’s functioning and assessing their cognition and/or their capacity.
It is essential reading for clinicians, researchers, and specialist nurses in aging and dementia as well as students of neuropsychology/neurocognition, medicine, and health and social work.
Dementia and Memory: Introduction for Professionals in Health and Human Services
Edited By Thomas J. Farrer, Elise K. Eifert
March 2022
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Addresses the psychology and treatment of diseases that affect the memory of an aging population
The aging population is growing, with a significant portion of the population over the age of 65. Epidemiological research suggests that rates of age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease will increase. Older individuals and their families face a host of problems related to the diagnosis, treatment, and psychological management of these conditions. There is a growing demand for healthcare personnel and professionals in the human and social services who have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this special population. Dementia and Memory: Introduction for Professionals in Health and Human Services aims to provide an introduction to dementia and memory disorders for professionals in public health, nursing, social work, gerontology, psychology, and beyond.
This book offers a scientifically rigorous approach with an approachable writing style, making it an ideal resource for all helping professions. All chapters take a multi-disciplinary approach to instruction, and all diseases are presented with applicable historical background. For each condition covered, from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to depression and frailty, you’ll find a description of the condition, epidemiological data, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, treatment strategies, and a case vignette. You’ll also learn about older adults’ daily needs, behavioral interventions, caregiver stress, and more.
Gain background knowledge of age-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy Body dementia, multiple sclerosis, and more
Learn about the neuroanatomy of the aging brain and how its manifestations lead to unique caregiving issues and challenges
Discover pharmacological, management, and intervention techniques that will help you better care for aging adults
Combat caregiver stress and compassion fatigue when dealing with difficult memory disorders and dementia
Anyone who works with older adults in community, clinical, or research settings will benefit from this in-depth information on conditions of aging and dementia.
A Casebook of Mental Capacity in US Legislation
Edited By Lynn A. Schaefer, Thomas J. Farrer
© 2022
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Assessment and Legal Commentary
A Casebook of Mental Capacity in US Legislation: Assessment and Legal Commentary employs an applied and accessible approach to the assessment of mental capacity. Through the use of rich vignettes and case examples, the text provides legal commentary to illustrate state laws and ethical principles from varied decision-making capacities in distinct settings to fortify its assessment.
The text begins by providing a background about decision-making capacity as a construct. It also provides practical guidance on capacity assessment germane to a broad range of clinical settings, including geropsychology, health psychology, and neuropsychology. It moves on to reviewing decision-making rights that make up capacity, and provides ethical guidelines while drawing the practitioner’s attention to the common pitfalls. The case presentations and legal commentary underline key areas such as the capacity to consent to medical treatment, make welfare decisions, enter into a sexual relationship, make financial decisions, create or revoke a will, litigate and contract, and stand trial. It also includes a chapter focusing on integrating culture and diversity in capacity evaluations with the aim of increasing the practitioner’s competence.
This casebook will be useful for clinical psychologists in practice, researchers and students seeking to understand how to perform capacity assessments, as well as other related healthcare professionals. It is further aimed at legal professionals to utilize as a reference that details how individual types of capacity are defined and assessed.
Essentials of the California Verbal Learning Test
Authors: Thomas J. Farrer, Lisa W. Drozdick
April 2020
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Guide to the essentials of administering and scoring the CVLT
Part of Wiley's Essentials of Psychological Assessment series, this book covers the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the CVLT-C, CVLT-II, and CVLT-3. Additionally, readers will find a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the assessment, a review of the CVLT's performance in clinical populations, and illustrative case reports. Each chapter ends with a Test Yourself section for enhanced learning. Essentials of the California Verbal Learning Test: CVLT-C, CVLT-2, & CVLT3 is a perfect resource for anyone who needs to understand and use the CVLT assessments.
The Brain at Risk
Authors: Dawson Hedges, Thomas J. Farrer, Erin D. Bigler, Ramona O. Hopkins
© 2019
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Associations between Disease and Cognition
This important book describes the effects of a range of medical, psychological, and neurological conditions on brain functioning, specifically cognition. After a brief introduction of brain anatomy and function focusing on neural systems and their complex role in cognition, this book covers common disorders across several medical specialties, as well as injuries that can damage a variety of neural networks. The authors review findings on associations between these conditions and cognitive domains such as executive function, memory, attention, and learning, and describe possible causal pathways between diseases and cognitive impairment. Later chapters describe potential strategies for prevention, improvement, and treatment.
The book’s topics include:
Cognition in affective disorders
Cerebrovascular disease and cognition
Cognitive sequelae of sepsis
Traumatic brain injury and cognition
Cognitive deficits associated with drug use
Obstructive sleep apnea and cognition
Cognitive function in pulmonary disease
The Brain at Risk reflects the current interest in the links between body, mind, and brain, and will be of great value to researchers and practitioners interested in neuroscience, neuropsychology, and clinical research in the cognitive and behavioral consequences of brain injury and disease.